Opportunities for Faculty to Apply for Funds

The downloadable funds applications are at the bottom of this page.

One of the most exciting parts of this grant is that both undergraduate and graduate faculty have the opportunity to apply for a portion of these funds. The Kern Foundation believes in the work that the TIU family of schools is doing to form people for long-term service for the kingdom; this work intersects with the priorities of the Oikonomia Network through, among other things, curriculum redesign, classroom projects, and other faculty-led initiatives that further the development of a robust theology of vocational stewardship.

What sorts of projects might be funded by this grant?

Projects for which faculty might apply for funding include (but are not limited to):

Curriculum development and/or redesign

Unique classroom / student activities that address the priorities of the Oikonomia Network

Spiritual formation group materials or activities

Bringing to campus pertinent speakers, presenters, and practitioners

Opportunities for relevant faculty-led off-campus student experiences

Other faculty-led initiatives that involve students in meaningful ways

There is a great opportunity here for both undergraduate and graduate faculty to dream creative ways of utilizing these funds toward concretely actionable initiatives in pursuit of a robust theology of vocation.

Guidelines for Funded Projects – Student Outcome Goals

While proposals and projects could potentially vary widely, the following are the Oikonomia Network student outcome goals. These should be helpful in writing proposals. The primary focus is on training pastors and church leaders who are prepared to do the following:

Work

Affirm the basic goodness of work and make it a priority to empower people in their callings and responsibilities outside the walls of the church

Prepare people to discern their callings and how they are equipped for service, encourage them to pursue excellence in their work, and help them nurture a sense of meaning and fulfillment in how they work

Encourage people to live morally and spiritually integrated lives; avoid language and practices that cultivate a dualistic mindset (e.g. “I left my job in order to go into full-time ministry”)

Affirm the importance of work done by the least advantaged and the socially marginalized, and by those whose areas of service are not always understood to be economic

Economics

Affirm the basic goodness of business and economic activity, and distinguish economic motives and practices based on value creation from those based on value extraction

Be aware of the changing economic forces impacting their communities and help people respond to those changes in virtuous ways

Cultural Engagement

Culturally contextualize their ministry by: working with, learning from, and empowering laypeople; exegeting life across multiple social contexts (e.g. home / workplace / community) and sectors of the congregation; casting a future-oriented vision for virtuous membership and participation in the civic community

Equip people to describe their approach to life in moral language that is appealing to those who do not possess a clear faith or a biblical worldview, and who are not yet welcoming explicit evangelism

How might I apply for funds?

Kern Fellowship

What is the Kern Fellowship?

Sponsored by the Kern Family Foundation, the Action Institute’s Kern Fellowship Program is building a cohort of evangelical seminary professors to bridge the sacred-secular divide, promoting sound anthropology and economic understanding in US seminaries and churches. Beginning with attendance at Acton University, which will take place June 17-20 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recipients of this prestigious award are offered unique resources and opportunities for use in their classrooms and scholarly advancement.

In 2014, 150 fellows will attend Acton University, enjoying four days of dynamic lectures, engaging discussion, leveraged networking and trademark hospitality. The Kern Fellowship includes single occupancy lodging at the downtown Courtyard by Marriott, a travel stipend, meals and conference fees for the duration of the conference, as well as a $500 honorarium.

How do I apply for the Kern Fellowship?

There is no separate application form for a Kern Fellowship to attend Acton University. Returning and new Kern Fellow candidates should visit university.acton.org, and complete the registration/application form. Applicants should also be certain to complete the financial aid portion at the bottom of the form. A limited number of fellowships are available and fellowship recipients are asked to attend the entire program as a condition of funding.

If you have any questions regarding Acton University and the Kern Fellowship, please contact Chris Robertson ([email protected]).